Fiber-case railway-torpedo.



F.' BUTCHER. FIBER CASE RAILWAY TORPEDO. A PLIcATmN rILBD snr'r.11,1a1s.

Patented Aug. 11, 1914 5 mam/n4 QRMMM,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- FRANK BUTCHER, 0F VERSAILLES, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO CENTRAL RAIL- WAY SIGNAL COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

FIBER-CASE RAILWAY-TORPEDO.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 11, 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK DUTOHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Versailles, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fiber-Case Railway-Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to improvements in fiber case railway torpedoes which are composed of a sheet of fiber so folded and cemented together that a strong, durable and waterproof torpedo is produced.

The object of my invention is to form the case of a fiber torpedo from a sheet or blank of paper or fiber and so fold the same around the explosive compound that it is wholly inclosed and making a waterproof casing and also providing means whereby the attaching clip is more securely held thereto.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a torpedo of this character in which less fiber is used to make the case and which does not require the skilled mechanic in the manufacture thereof, and therefore producing a cheaper torpedo having all of the qualifications of those composed of the telescoping cup-shaped members.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved torpedo applied to the rail. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken transverse the rail and at right angles to Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the blank of which the case is formed.

In carrying out my invention the torpedo case is formed of a blank of fiber and so folded as to completely inclose the explosive compound. This of itself is not new as torpedoes have been made of blanks but the folding of the blank so that the bottom is thoroughly reinforced and the clip firmly held thereto so that it will be held to the rail and will not inflict injury to persons by flying particles thereof when exploded, is held to be new.

Referring now to the drawings 1 indicates the blank of which my improved case is composed and which consists of a main central body portion 2. This body portion is, as shown, of a square form and of a size to fit the form of the tablet of explosive mixture 3. The body portion 2, at opposite sides is are the flaps 13 provided with flaps 4 and 5 of a width equal to the thickness of the tablet of explosive mixture 3. These flaps 4 and 5 are provided with the flaps 6 and 7 which are of a width equal to half that of the body portion so that their inner ends abut each other when they are folded inwardly over the explosive tablet. The flaps 6 and 7 adjacent their inner ends are provided with slots 8 and 9 through which passes the rail attaching strap 10 as will be hereinafter more fully de scribed.

The body portion 2 at the sides opposite the flaps 4 and 5 is provided with the flaps 11 and 12 which are of a width equal to the thickness of the tablet of explosive mixture. Formed integral with the flaps 11 and 12 and 14 which are of the same size and shape as the body portion 2 as will be later described.

While I have shown the blank as partly folded it will be understood that the case or blank is perfectly flat and scored so as to form the several flaps and to enable it to be readily folded and cemented.

In making the torpedo the tablet of explosive mixture is first placed upon the body portion 2 and the flaps 4 and 5 folded against the edges thereof. The flaps 6 and 7 are then folded upon the upper face of the tablet and the attaching strap is then threaded through the openings 8 and 9. The end of the tablet 3 and outer faces of the flaps 6 and 7 are then given a coating of cement and the flap 11 folded against the end of the tablet and the flaps 4 and 5 and the portion 13 folded upon the cemented outer faces of the portions 6 and 7 and over the attaching strap. The opposite end of the tablet and the outer face of the portion 13 is then coated with cement and the flap 112 is folded against the cemented end of the torpedo and the fiap 14 folded upon the outer cemented face of the flap 13. By this operation it will be seen that a perfectly tight case is formed and the portion 13 and 14 overlying the rail attaching strap 10 prevents it from being accidentally displaced and at the same time making three thicknesses for the bottom of the torpedo. The completed torpedo is then dipped into shellac which stifiens the same and absolutely assures the sealing of all the joints to make the case waterproof.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A railway torpedo comprising a blank having a body portion, flaps secured thereto and adapted to fold over the explosive compound, a rail attaching strap passing through the side flaps and end flaps folded over the first mentioned flaps and the rail attaching strap.

2. A railway torpedo comprising a blank formed with a body portion upon which the explosive compound is placed in tablet form, flaps secured to two opposite sides and adapted to form the edges of the case and having flaps extending inwardly over the explosive compound and having their ends abutting and having openings therein, a rail attaching strap threaded through said openings, flaps carried by the two remaining sides of the body portion, one having a flap equal in area to that of the body portion and extending over the two abutting flaps and over the strap, and a flap carried by the other flap of the body portion, said flap extending over the last mentioned flap and cemented thereto.

3. A railway torpedo comprising a blank having a body-portion, flaps secured to two opposite sides of the body-portion and adapted to have their inner ends abut at the center of the torpedo and having slots adjacent their inner ends, a rail attaching strap passing through the slots and end flaps folded over the first mentioned flaps and rail-attaching strap and of a size equal to that of the body of the torpedo.

4%. A railway torpedo, comprising a blank having a body-portion, flaps secured to the opposite sides thereof and adapted to fold over the explosive compound and having their inner ends abutting at the center of the body-portion, a rail-attaching strap passing through the flaps and end flaps folded over the first mentioned flaps and the rail-attaching strap, and of an area equal to that of the body-portion.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANK DUTCHER. Witnesses R. W. J UNKER, G. M. LEONARD.

Oopiea of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of intents, Washington, D. C. 

